According to diplomats, UNMISS may be targeted early in an upcoming review process as U.S. Ambassador to the UN, Nikki Haley, is under pressure to cut US contribution to UN peacekeeping operations.
Voice of America: “‘Mother’ of South Sudan Says Genocide Looming”
Several experts have cautioned against placing South Sudan under UN trusteeship, saying the country is not yet at the level that calls for international custodianship.
Government and opposition forces have traded accusations over attacks on various positions in Upper Nile State.
Al Jazeera: “Thousands killed in cattle raids since 2011”
The New York Times: “Quandary in South Sudan: Should It Lose Its Hard-Won Independence?”
Tuesday 24 January
South Sudan’s ambassador to Ethiopia dismissed reports that relations are strained between the two countries after President Salva Kiir visited Egypt and met with President Abdel Fattah el-Sisi earlier this month.
A senior SPLA (IO) general, Brig. Gen. John Goarguen Gai, reportedly defected together with over 170 soldiers to the SPLA (IO) faction led by Taban Deng Gai.
The Joint Monitoring and Evaluation Commission (JMEC) urged the U.N Security Council to quickly deploy the 4,000-strong Regional Protection Force.
The Guardian: “Uganda’s sprawling haven for 270,000 of South Sudan’s refugees”
Voice of America: “Uganda Welcomes More Refugees Daily Than Some in Europe Annually, Charity Says”
Wednesday 25 January
The Ceasefire and Transitional Security Arrangements Monitoring Mechanism (CTSAMM) reported that one of its Opposition Liaison Officers had been killed near Wau town.
Thursday 26 January
Former SPLA Chief of Staff, General Oyai Deng Ajak, denied allegations that he has rebelled against the SPLM/A. It remains unclear which rebel faction he has allegedly joined.
According to the Minister of Finance, South Sudan plans to more than double its oil production to 290,000 barrels per day (bpd) in the 2017/2018 fiscal year.
A new Enough Project report accused the SPLA (in government) of looting national resources in the absence of accountability and transparency. The SPLA dismissed the report, saying it is baseless propaganda.
The UN Special Envoy for the Great Lakes Region and the Special Representative of the Secretary-General (SRSG) for the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) vowed to find a solution to the issue of armed SPLA (IO) soldiers in eastern DRC.
Salva Kiir has formed a committee to visit Maban area and investigate the recent clashes between the host community and Sudanese refugees that killed 30 people.
Tuesday 17 January
UNMISS warned the SPLA (IO) against inciting the public against the peacekeeping body and accusing the peacekeepers of providing support to the government army.
At least 11 people were killed and 13 others wounded in clashes between local youth and suspected Murle cattle raiders in Northeast Duk County, Jonglei State.
The National Democratic Movement (NDM) faction, led by Lam Akol, denied reports that about 800 fighters from its group has defected and joined the SPLA (IO).
According to a new report by UNMISS and OHCHR, there remains widespread impunity as serious human rights violations has continued unabated since the July clashes in Juba. The SPLA rejected the report’s findings, claiming it lacks evidence.
Wednesday 18 January
About a dozen SPLM (IO) officials have reportedly defected to the Government of South Sudan (GOSS).
The UNHCR increased its funding request for aid operations in South Sudan by more than 60 percent, to a total of USD $781.8 million, due to surge in violence and food shortages.
Salva Kiir has refused to place Juba International Airport under the Regional Protection Force’s mandate and control.
The Government of South Sudan (GOSS) banned travel on the two main roads in and out of Torit following several killings by unknown gunmen over the last few months.
GOSS announced it will no longer accept the deployment of the UN Regional Protection Force, saying the security situation in the county has improved. They also argued that the UN Security Council resolution, under which the forces were to be deployed, has elapsed.
The SPLA collected over 1200 weapons during a house-to-house search in Juba.
Thursday 12 January
An SPLA spokesman claim American, British and Norwegian government officials met in Nairobi with SPLM (IO) representatives to plot a regime change. The Troika countries deny the allegation.
President Salva Kiir issued a decree creating four new states in addition to the existing 28 states established in October 2015.
GOSS has reportedly banned foreign NGOs from operating in SPLA (IO)-controlled Payinjiar County, Unity State.
Sunday 15 January
President Salva Kiir dismissed the Central Bank governor, Kornelio Koryom Mayik, reportedly due to high inflation and the depreciation of the South Sudanese Pound (SSP) against the dollar.
The Guardian: “Makeshift justice the only recourse for ill-protected women at South Sudan camp”
The security agencies in Juba arrested a group of 26 people from Somalia and Uganda suspected of involvement in robberies on New Year’s Eve.
Wednesday 4 January
President Salva Kiir sacked two governors from the two newly-created states, Twic and Gogrial. General Gregory Deng Kuac was later appointed Governor of Gogrial and Brig. Gen. Kon Manyiel Kuol Governor of Twic State.
Hundreds of citizens, mostly women and children, have reportedly fled their homes due to killings and burning of houses along the Rimenze-Yambio road.
A new armed opposition movement, the National Resistance Front/Army, have been formed. The group is allied to former commissioner of Yei River County, Cosmas Bidali Wori-Kojo.
The Guardian: “Bookseller of Malakal brings words of comfort to war-torn South Sudan”
Thursday 5 January
Minister of Foreign Affairs, Deng Alor Kuol contested remarks that the disputed Abyei area is part of the Sudanese territory until a referendum is conducted.
At least 10 people were killed and 10 wounded in separate attacks against vehicles at Khor Langa area and Jebel Kenyi areas along the Juba-Yei road.
Saturday 7 January
Former Governor of Western Equatoria, Baghazi Joseph Bakosoro, announced the formation of a new political party, the ’National Movement for Change (NMC)’.
The South Sudanese Pound weakened further against the U.S. dollar, as 1 USD sold for 105 SSP, a significant change from 1 USD at 90 SSP in December 2016.
Sunday 8 January
The Government of South Sudan and SPLA (IO) have issued separate statements in which both claim to have captured areas initially controlled by the opposing faction.
An estimated 12,000 cattle have been found in Likuangole village, Boma State. The cattle was confiscated by the government since it supposedly came from two different attacks in Jonglei State where Murle raiders were suspected of being the culprits.
The New York Times: “Can the African Union Save South Sudan from Genocide?”
At least 15 people, including four government soldiers, have allegedly been killed in separate incidents in Torit town and surrounding villages in Eastern Equatoria over the past two weeks.
SPLA (IO) detained a government official and his Tanzanian pilot after their plane landed in Ganyiel area, a rebel-held territory in Unity State.
Thursday 29 December
Members of the Jalle community have petitioned the Jonglei state governor over repeated attacks by cattle raiders, blaming the government for failure to intervene or protect them from attacks.
SPLA soldiers are accused of massive looting of churches, schools and residential areas in Morobo County, Central Equatoria.
Meeting with representatives of the Transitional Government of National Unity and other peace partners, The Joint Monitoring and Evaluation Commission (JMEC) decried the missed opportunities in 2016 to end the war.
At least six people are confirmed dead after a fuel tanker exploded at Sherikaat, a suburb of Juba.
Authorities in Jonglei state say 21 people have been killed and five children abducted since a peace deal on prevention of cattle raiding and child abduction was signed earlier this month with neighbouring Boma State.
Clashes reported between government troops and opposition fighters in Renk county, Upper Nile; Mundri county, Western Equatoria; and, on the outskirts of Wau town, Westen Bahr el Ghazal.
The South Sudan President’s office issued a statement denying reports in which several officials and presidential guards claimed over USD 280 million was stolen.
HSBA Issue Brief: “Legitimacy, exclusion, and power: Taban Deng Gai and the South Sudan peace process”
According to UNICEF, 1,300 South Sudanese children were recruited by armed forces and armed groups in 2016, bringing the total number child soldiers since 2013 to over 17,000.
BBC: “South Sudan refugee crisis: The wooden bridge between death and safety”
Saturday 17 December
At least 17 people, including three women, were killed and nine others wounded in an attack by cattle raiders on Jalle area in the north of Bor town, Jonglei State.
Sunday 18 December
Petroleum Minister Ezekiel Lol Gatkouth arrived in Khartoum for talks with his Sudanese counterpart on the oil transit fees.
Voice of America: “Mass atrocities feared in South Sudan as ethnic violence is stoked by hunger”
President Salva Kiir said numerous assurances of support and cooperation from the UN and regional leaders encouraged his acceptance of the Regional Protection Force (RPF).
Salva Kiir visited South Africa for bilateral talks with President Jacob Zuma.
Al Jazeera: “Save South Sudan from destroying itself”
Wednesday 30 November
Representatives of the US and UN warned of possibilities of tension escalating in South Sudan, stating GOSS is “preparing for large-scale attacks in the coming days or weeks”.
Foreign Policy: “U.S. Push to Halt Genocide in South Sudan Unravels at United Nations”
Thursday 1 December
A UN commission on human rights in South Sudan has said a process of ethnic cleansing is underway in the country, involving massacres, starvation, gang rape and the destruction of villages. International media reports:
Reuters: “South Sudanese flee as country edges closer to ‘genocide’”
Al Jazeera: “South Sudan denies UN allegations of ‘ethnic cleansing’
Salva Kiir and Riek Machar declined a proposal by South Africa President Jacob Zuma to meet each other in an attempt to build confidence, trust and dispel personal dislike.
Several days of tension and clashes around Yei town, Central Equatoria. SPLA (IO) claimed they captured Lasu and Lonbongo villages as well as Ombachi, while SPLA claim they repulsed a SPLA (IO) attack on Yei town.
The Guardian: “Aid in South Sudan: We’re mopping up while the tap is still running”
Thursday 8 December
President Salva Kiir has ordered the deployment of additional troops to the oil-producing region, saying it will ensure the oil workers’ security and operations.
The IGAD summit condemned in the strongest terms the reported systematic targeting, killings and forced displacement of civilians and destruction of property by armed men in South Sudan.
Dear Readers, please note that there will be no news update next week. We will be back on Sunday December 11 with a two-week TWISS update for week 48 and 49.
Monday 21 November
A contingent of 350 Japanese peacekeepers, with a mandated to use force to protect UN staff and aid workers, arrived in Juba.
Members of South Sudan’s national parliament have called for accountability for officials who manage the country’s public funds.
Voice of America: “South Sudanese Flee One of Country’s Last Peaceful Towns”
Thursday 24 November
President Salva Kiir and Omar al-Bashir agreed to open the borders between their two countries under a side-line meeting during the African-Arab summit in Malabo, Equatorial Guinea.
Friday 25 November
Aid organizations warn of soaring starvation threat numbers in South Sudan as the conflict spreads to rural areas, cutting farmers’ access to their agricultural lands.
The Yei Power operating company has ceased its operations over what it described as continuous insecurity compounded by unsustainable high operating expenses.
President Salva Kiir has nominated former internal affairs minister, Aleu Ayieny Aleu for the position of Secretary General for East African regional bloc (IGAD)
Sunday 27 November
The Government of South Sudan has agreed to accept the deployment of the UN Regional Protection Force after months of hesitation.
